The Nutcracker ballet comes back for festive season

A scene of The Nutcracker ballet – Photo: COURTESY OF HBSO

The show, which is hosted by HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO), tells about a dream of Clara, a dreamy and emotional little girl, on the Christmas Eve. The dream opens a magical fairy world where lives the brave and handsome prince who comes out of a nutcracker. He rescues Clara from dangers and accompanies her in the adventure through wonderland.

This sweet romance has won the heart of millions of audiences all over the world, especially the younger ones, with the wondrous winter land of numerous beautiful dancing snowflakes; the land of dancing fairies, gorgeous flowers and the pure dew; as well as the exotic Land of Sweets with its different colors.

Previously, in 2011, renowned Norwegian choreographer Johanne Jakhelln Constant worked with HBSO’s ballet artists to launch a completely new version of “The Nutcracker”, adapted to Vietnamese artists. With her experiences in different ballet groups in the world and having choreographed many times for “The Nutcraker”, Jakhelln Constant took part in every production steps of the show, including stage setup, costumes, props, and choreography. The play gained instant success and became one of the most favorite performances in HCMC every Christmas.

“The Nutcracker” has been annually performed in three to four consecutive nights to meet the audience’s need.

The latest show will feature talented ballet artists Nguyen Phuc Hung, Tran Hoang Yen, Ho Phi Diep, Pham The Chung, Do Hoang Khang Ninh and French ballet dancer Chloe Glemot. HBSO’s symphony orchestra and HBSO female choir will be performing live at the auditorium under the baton of the young and talented conductor, Tran Nhat Minh.

The show’s general director Nguyen Phuc Hung had made some changes to the decorations as well as the lightning effect and stage setup to enhance the magical and shimmering feeling.

Norwegian choreographer Johanne Jakhelln Constant was artistic director of Ballet Quad Cities (USA) from 1997-2006. While with the company she choreographed more than forty ballets, including the full length ballets The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Coppélia and The Sleeping Beauty. She was given three choreography awards for her original works Chairished and Flickering Blue.

Jakhelln Constant, a graduate of the The National Dance Program of Fagerborg High School in Oslo, holds a BFA in Teaching of Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance from The University College of Dance in Stockholm (Sweden) and an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa (USA). She first created The Nutcracker for Ballet Quad Cities in 1998 and has restaged it multiple times since.

Conductor Tran Nhat Minh studied at Magnitogorsk State Conservatory (Russia) majoring in chorus conducting and graduated with distinctions in 2004. In 2007, he earned his Master of Art degree at Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, majoring in chorus conducting. In 2012, he completed the Conducting course from Italian Conducting Academy. Minh won the second prize at the International Competition for Young Conductor in Vladivostock City (2003) and the Incentive Prize at the Russia Competition for Professional Conductor (2006).

Minh had performed with Chamber Chorus of Moscow’s Conservatory in Russia, France, and Italy. In 2009, he joined the modern-ballet “The Windows” by HBSO and was awarded “The Best Conductor” prize at the National Competition of Voice-Dance and Music. In 2014, he won the Gold Award for the Southern Choir at the International Choral Festival organized by German organization Interkultur in Hoi An. Minh is currently a deputy head and chorusmaster of the HBSO Opera.

The show will take place at the City Opera House at 7 Lam Son Square in HCMC’s District 1.

Tickets are priced at VND800,000, VND650,000, VND400,000 and VND150,000 for students. For booking and delivery, call Ms. Huong on 0989 874 517 or Ms. Ly on 0903 604 539.